Chapter 249

The Lowell Group had suffered consecutive defeats in the business world, incurring heavy losses.

Sophia Laurent's decision to sever ties with them was wise. Such a family, biased toward their adopted daughter, wasn't worth clinging to.

Though William Lowell hastily deleted the intimate sibling photos, netizens had already saved them.

The news that Emily Lowell was adopted had spread like wildfire.

While the internet mocked the Lowells and Emily, they also voiced outrage on Sophia's behalf. This became the hottest topic both inside and outside their social circles.

Victoria Lowell had just stepped out of William's room when her phone began ringing incessantly.

"Mrs. Lowell, is it true Emily isn't your biological daughter?"

"Have you seen the news? Sophia is now acting CEO of Valdemar Holdings!"

"When did Sophia get married? Why weren't we informed of such joyous news?"

"That's the Valdemar family! Even a fraction of their resources could sustain an ordinary person for life. Your family must be thriving now..."

"Emily seemed so well-behaved before, but Sophia is the true success—beautiful and favored by Patriarch Valdemar. How enviable..."

Victoria's expression darkened with each call.

She couldn't tell if these socialites were genuinely congratulating her or subtly mocking her.

Every word felt like a knife to her heart.

Had Sophia remained obedient as before, she would've been overjoyed.

But now, Sophia avoided them at all costs.

Despite being bound by blood, they'd become more distant than strangers.

The thought made Victoria's chest tighten.

She paused absently outside Emily's door.

If the hospital hadn't mixed up the babies all those years ago, would things have turned out differently?

Back then, the hospital had been overcrowded, beds scarce.

The Lowell family was already declining, and Victoria hadn't wanted to deliver alongside those elite socialites.

Their glamorous entourages and lavish displays had left her bitter.

Those women had looked down on her fading family.

So she'd chosen a VIP maternity suite in a standard hospital.

There, she'd basked in the admiration of ordinary mothers, her vanity thoroughly satisfied.

But she never imagined the nurses would switch the babies.

That mistake had lasted fourteen years.

Victoria fell silent, lost in memories.

Richard Lowell also received numerous calls.

The thinly veiled mockery beneath the congratulatory tones enraged him so much he overturned the dining table.

His original plan had been perfect—announce Sophia's marriage to the Valdemars at the right moment, making everyone envy him.

But Sophia refused to follow his script.

Instead of benefiting the Lowells, she opposed them at every turn, becoming his greatest regret.

Even now, he dared not publicly acknowledge the marital alliance between their families.

Who could've predicted Sophia would rise so high in the Valdemar household?

If only he'd sent Emily to marry into that family instead.

With Emily as a Valdemar, he'd be the envy of all.

The thought filled him with unbearable regret.